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PASTEL Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Why the correction?

Todd: So, Ruthie, what did you do today?

Ruth: Well, I got up quite early this morning, actually, to go shopping.
Todd: Oh, yeah! (Yeah) Ooh, shopping.

Ruth: I really like shopping.
Todd: That's true but you're on a budget. You're trying to save money.

Ruth: I know, but is was my brother's birthday. Well, it is my brother's birthday in a week so.
Todd: Oh, no kidding

Why did Ruth revise her speech?
  

Top answer

Because, since her brother's birthay is still to come, she can't use the past to talk about it. Isn't it "in a week or so"? But maybe she first used the past because she says she went shopping earlier, and at that time, she had her brother's birthday in mind.

— Pieanne

  • Because, since her brother's birthay is still to come, she can't use the past to talk about it.
  • Isn't it "in a week or so"?
  • But maybe she first used the past because she says she went shopping earlier, and at that time, she had her brother's birthday in mind.
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7 Answers
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Because, since her brother's birthay is still to come, she can't use the past to talk about it. Isn't it "in a week or so"?

But maybe she first used the past because she says she went shopping earlier, and at that time, she had her brother's birthday in mind.
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Bonjour! Pieanne,

She surely had her brother's birthday in mind at that time. I think the past tense could be mistakenly perceived by a language learner. I understand your point.

Is this sentence possible?

I went shopping because it was Peter's birthday in a week. -indirect speech

Thanks, Pastel
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If I'm reporting something I said two or three weeks ago: "I went shopping because Peter's birthday was a week later". (P's birthday is now past)

If I'm reporting something that I've just said, or that I said less than one week ago: "I went shopping because Peter's birthday is in a week" (P's birthday is still to come).
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Ruth: I know, but it was for my brother's birthday. Well, it is my brother's birthday in a week so.

Would you think the 'for' is missing? 'It' refers to 'going shopping in the morning' and she went shopping for her brother's coming birthday. Possible?!
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PASTEL
Ruth: I know, but is was my brother's birthday. Well, it is my brother's birthday in a week so.

Jumping in--

Ruth is meaning to communicate this thought: It (= the reason I got up early to go shopping) was (= at the time earlier today when I got
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How are you, Davkett?

Thanks a bunch!

Pieanne, thanks a bouquet!
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